Better Breed Rates a Benefit at New Repro Facility

What better way to ensure successful reproduction than having one place for the whole process? That’s the idea behind the latest venture at North Star Farms in Arlington, Wash. North Star owner Judy Hedreen recently established a formal partnership with Mike Howell, DVM of Evergreen Equine Veterinary Practice to offer onsite equine reproduction services for clients from anywhere in the United States who want professional management of stallions, semen and insemination, and health care for brood mares every step of the way. Highly respected farm manager, Michael Boggs, will also be part of the management team.

“After working with Dr. Howell on many successful frozen semen insemination and embryo transfers over the years with my horses and clients’ horses,” said Hedreen, “Mike and I decided to team up to offer our services to the breeding community at-large.” In addition to a long affiliation with North Star Farms, Dr. Howell has extensive experience in equine reproduction through his local practice as well as in New Zealand.

Dr. Howell notes, “Clients are much more likely to achieve high conception rates at a central facility where breeding is managed through each step by a team of professionals.” Breeding is never a guarantee, but last year Dr. Howell was 4 for 4 with pregnancies using frozen semen and 2 for 2 with successful embryo transfers, says Judy. “Our clients are happy and looking forward to another successful spring."

North Star provides a full range of onsite reproduction services and round-the-clock care in an equine breeding facility that includes freshly equipped collection and treatment areas and a new laboratory. The following specialized services are offered:

• Stallion
  Stallion management and collection
  Shipping of fresh, cooled semen
  Freezing of semen
  
  
  
• Mare
  Pre-breeding exam
  Cycle management
  Embryo transfer
  Pregnant mare care
  Limited delivery care
  Mare and foal care through weaning

A sample of the benefits to owners are reduced rates of on-the-farm calls, having the shipping, receiving, and transport of semen (always a tricky proposition) managed by professionals, and gaining the confidence that their horses are being tended by experts striving for success. Because Dr. Howell and his colleagues have a full-service practice, clients of North Star Reproductive Services have the option of ongoing veterinary services, including annual exams and preventative care, through Evergreen Equine Veterinary Practice based in Snohomish, Wash.

An equine reproduction consult is available by appointment, 7 days a week. For more information including specific pricing or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Mike Howell at Evergreen Equine Veterinary Practice at 360.568.1114 or mike@EvergreenEquineVet.com.

Check out our photo gallery of foals conceived with frozen semen at the North Star Repro Facility.

On-site veterinarian, Dr. Mike Howell, preps a mare for artificial insemination procedure.

Frozen equine sperm can be stored indefinitely.

Checking the sperm count of newly arrived equine semen.